UCF 38, South Carolina State 0
Orlando, Fla.
Sept. 3, 2016
TEAM NOTES
-UCF honored Pulse victims with "Orlando United" decals on the back of its helmets.
-The Knights improved to 24-14 in season openers.
-With a crowd of 36,260, a total of 5,007,470 fans have now witnessed UCF home games since the program's inception in 1979.
-The Knights wore white jerseys at home for the first time since Sept. 1, 1984.
-UCF recognized a special Knights family during the coin toss. Chad Leventhal has suffered from childhood cancer and has undergone more than 40 chemo treatments. He is the son of Barry and Micki Leventhal, both UCF alumni. They were joined by Chad's aunt and UCF alum, Christine Turner, at the game Saturday.
-UCF posted two rushing touchdowns, the first multi-rushing touchdown game since two against East Carolina on Dec. 4, 2014. In 12 games last year the Knights had four rushing touchdowns.
-The Knights average 65 plays last year. On Saturday, it ran 91 plays, the most plays by a UCF offense since it ran 92 plays against Kent State on Nov. 16, 2002.
-The 38 points were the most scored since 53 against SMU Nov. 22, 2014.
-It was the first shutout pitched by the defense since a 16-0 win at USF Nov. 28, 2014.
-It also was the 23rd shutout by the Knights in school history.
-The 462 total yards were the most by the Knights since Nov. 22, 2014, against SMU (490).
-Twelve different Knight caught a pass, while eight different Knights had at least one rush.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
-Captains for UCF were: senior quarterback Justin Holman, senior linebackers Errol Clarke and Mark Rucker and senior offensive lineman Jason Rae.
-UCF started one true freshman on offense in Jawon Hamilton who received the start at running back. Trysten Hill started on defense on the line.
-Holman was 6-for-17 with 28 yards in the first half but finished 8-for-11 to go 14-for-28 overall with 193 yards and two touchdowns in the air.
-Holman also collected a career-high 40 rushing yards while chipping in a touchdown.
-Holman also boasted his first career reception, a 24-yard pass from sophomore wide receiver Tristan Payton, who also had his first career pass attempt.
-Senior quarterback Nick Patti was 5-for-7 with 48 yards off the bench.
-Sophomore wideout Tre'Quan Smith snagged a 37-yard touchdown pass from Holman. Smith led the team with four touchdown catches a year ago.
-Payton brought in his second touchdown reception as a Knight.
-Houston had three punts for a 44.7 average, with all three inside the 20. He now ranks third all-time at UCF with 163 punts.
-Sophomore kicker Matthew Wright was a perfect 4-for-4 in field goals, all in the first half. That tied a UCF record for field goals made in a game, as it was the 12th time it was done.
-Sophomore defensive lineman Joey Connors recorded his first career forced fumble and fumble recovery in the second quarter.
-Redshirt junior linebacker Shaquem Griffin notched his first career sack and forced fumble in the second quarter as well.
-Senior cornerback Shaquill Griffin hauled in an interception, which was the fourth of his career.
-Senior running back Dontravious Wilson reached the end zone on a rushing touchdown in the third quarter. It was his first touchdown on the ground since 2014, and his fourth overall.